Wusruowhtg-biachine



F. H. MANNY.

Grain Winnower. No. 30,334. I Patented Oct. 9, 1860.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK H. MAXNY, OF ROCKFORD, lLLlNOlS.

WINNONING-BIACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 30384:, dated October 9, 1860.

T0 alt whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK H. MANNY, of Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in \Vinnowing-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which make part of this specification, and in Which Figure 1 represents a view, in perspective, of a. winnowing machine embracing my improvements, as the same would appear to a spectator stationed in front and one side of the same. Fig. 2 represents a similar view of the same, as seen from the opposite side of the machine, with the sieves removed to show more clearly the interior of the machine. Fig. 3 represents a vertical longitudinal section through the center of the machine, showing the general arrangement of its several parts; and Fig. 4 represents a similar section through a nest of sieves embracing one of my improvements.

That end of the machine which contains the sieves 1 call the front, and that in which the fan-case is placed, the rear.

The nature of my invention the employment of certain new and useful devices and arrangements for effecting a thorough winnowing of the grain; and my improvement consists in suspending the shoe (which carries a nest of inclined sieves of a peculiar construction) by means of springs at the sides thereof, in such manner that each end of the shoe shall vibrate freely, with a transverse movementthrough openings left for that purpose in the sides of the frame of the machine; and arranging below this shoe an inclined screen suspended by radius-bars and having a longitudinal vibratory movement imparted to it, both sieves and screen being driven by a peculiar arrangement of mechanism hereinafter more fully described, whereby a compact convenient arrangement and a uniform steady movement of the several parts is secured.

In the accompanying drawings my improvements are represented as applied to a winnowing machine resembling in many respects those in common use. It consists of a strong frame, formed of four upright posts (A) firmly secured together and braced.

consists in A fan of any suitable form is mounted upon a horizontal transverse shaft (C) and re volves within the fan-case A hopper (D) is placed upon the machine to contain the grain to be winnowed; and a drawer (E) beneath the machine to receive the seeds which pass through the lower screen. The shoe (F), which carries the nest (F) of sieves, is suspended from the front of the machine by means of springs attached to each of its ends in such manner as to permit the shoe to swing freely through the openings left in the side of the frame for that purpose, with a parallel transverse motion. The nest (F) is so constructed as to be readily removed or replaced when desired. The screen (G) is inclined at an angle of say from 15 to 20 degrees and slopes backward from front to rear of the machine. It is suspended by radius bars (g) pivoted inside the frame and swings freely back and forth within the casing.

The sieves and screen receive their re spective n'iovements in the following manner: A. bar (H) which I call a parallelbar. is arranged in a horizontal transverse position across the frame and projects at each side thereof through slots (it) left in the casing for that purpose. This bar lies parallel to the driving-shaft (C). which in this instance is also the fan-shaft. and is connected therewith by means of a pitmanrod ((1') at each end; so that it maintains its parallelism to the fan-shaft under all circumstances. The range of motion of this bar (and, consequently, the length of the stroke or vibration of the sieves and screen) may be adjusted by means of a series of holes arranged eccentrically in the crankpulleys (c) at each end of the fan-shaft. A connecting rod (h) extends from the center of the parallel bar to the upper end. of the screen (G), and it is by this means that the screen is vibrated. The shoe (F) is vibrated by means of two similar rods (71/), one end of each of which is attached to the parallel-bar (H) near each end while the other end is secured to a bellcrank (it?) on each side of the frame. The shoe may be vibrated by a link or rod attached directly to the other arm of one of these bell-cranks and to the shoe; but as the arms of the cranks vibrate in opposite directions the connection of the other arm with the shoe must be formed by means of a cord or strap passing around a pulley 011 the side of the frame or through the interposition of another lever.

The quantity of grain fed to the sieves is regulated by means of a sliding-board (d) which forms one side of the hopper. The movements of this board are controlled and its position adjusted by means of a horizon tal shaft (03) arranged transversely across the machine just underneath the board, and having straps (0Z wound around it; the opposite ends of the straps being secured to the top and bottom of the sliding-board ((1). One end of this shaft is provided with a pawl and ratchet-wheel (ri to hold it in any required position, and the ratchet wheel has a pin on it by which to turn the shaft. These devices are clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3, of the drawings.

The nest of sieves (F) is arranged in a peculiar manner, as shown in Fig. l. The sieves (f, F) are arranged in pairs with a considerable interval between them, and in this interval an inclined board sloping from front to rear of the nest (and which I call a return-board is placed for the purpose of returning the grain, after it has passed through the upper sieves (f), to the back of the nest that it may pass through the lower sieves (f thus causing it to be twice sifted instead of doing it only once as would be the case were the return-board not employed.

The operation of the machine is as follows Rotatory motion is imparted to the fanshaft (C) by means of the driving-wheel (C). The sliding-board (d) being raised and secured in the desired position the grain and chaff is poured into the hopper (D) and falls therefrom upon the upper sieves (f) of the nest (F). As this nest vibrates with both its ends parallel to the sides of the frame the grain is tossed freely from side to side, its motion being equal in all parts of the sieve and the only forward motion it has being due to the inclination of the sieves. This operation is therefore manifestly different from what it would be were the shoe pivoted at some point back of the hopper; for in that case the motion would, obviously, be much greater at one end of the shoe than at the other. While the grain is being agitated upon the upper sieve the blast from the fan carries off the chaff and impurities while the heavier and bulkier trash passes over the front edge of the sieve and falls upon the ground. The grain and smaller seed, after passing through the upper sieves (f) fall upon the return-board (P) which conducts them to the back end of the nest, in order that they may again be thoroughly sifted in passing through the lower sieves (F). From these sieves the grain falls upon. the inclined screen (G) which vibrates longitudinally, down which it slides and is discharged at the back of the machine just beneath the fan-case. Any seeds smaller than the grain itself will pass through the screen and be deposited in the drawer By this means the grain is effectually cleansed from all impurities.

I am thus by my improvements able to regulate with facility the discharge from the hopper; to secure a compact and convenient arrangement of the sieves; to obviate unequal jars or strains upon the mechanism; and, in short, to produce a winnowing machine which, in my opinion, accomplishes the desideratum sought to be attained in the most effectual manner.

I do not claim broadly per 86, any of the devices herein shown and described, but- Having thus fully described my improved winnowing machine, what I claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination of the driving-shaft (C) pitman-rods (0), paralleLba-r (H), connecting-rods (h, h), and bell-cranks (72, with the removable nest of sieves (F) and screen (G); when the whole are constructed, ar ranged, and operated in the manner herein described, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

FREDERICK H. MANNY.

\Vitnesses JOHN P. MANNY, C. F. SWAIN. 

